Hanukkah Play
Please feel free to copy and use the play and songs. I only ask that you let me know that you are and that you include the personal information at the top of the play. I'd love to see some photos from your performance - so please email me a few.
Hanukkah O Hanukkah
Story & Song Lyrics by
Curtis & Carolyn Loftin
5149 E. NC 10 Hwy.
Catawba NC 28609
828-241-2233
cdloftin@charter.net
http://curtis.loftinnc.com/Reader 1: Hanukkah O Hanukkah! Welcome One! Welcome All! This is the story of the Maccabees – or if you prefer, Hanukkah! Welcome! Welcome! Let me tell you a little about the characters in our story tonight.
(Add costumes as you pull spontaneous actors from the audience)
This is Antiochus Epiphanes. (Crown & Robe) He’s the King of Syria and not a very nice person! He has recently invaded Israel and seized power. He’s even taken control of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Real bad guy!
Antiochus has an Attendant, just as evil, who assists him with all of his “dirty deeds”. (Serving Tray with empty plastic glass)
The hero of our story is an elderly Jewish man by the name of Mattathias. (Breast Plate made from poster board & construction paper; curly locks made from yarn; Yamalcha or fur hat) He is a priest from the tribe of Levi.
Mattathias has 5 sons … the chiefest of whom is Judah. (Sword & Yamalcha)
Our story also includes 3 other Jewish men…
James … a devout Jew with great love for Yahweh. (Yamalcha for James)
Saul & Emet … 2 Jewish men who are willing to compromise their faith when it suits them. (Toga made from a bed-sheet for Saul & a Baseball Hat with Hippie Fringed-Vest for Emet)
Saul: Hey! Where are the pretty girls in this story? All stories have a Hero and pretty girls!
Antiochus: Well, “I’m” definitely the Hero. I’ve got rugged good looks. Just look at this chin!
Saul: I don’t know about that!
Antiochus: My step-daughter Prudence is a pretty girl … a lovely “little” thing. She’s a nice girl! A good catch! She’s just what any story needs. Prudence! Hey, Prudence! Come here! (Pause) It takes a little while for her to get her wooden leg on if she’s not wearing her glass- eye. And don’t you worry about that rash! Doctors say it’s not contagious and should clear up in a few weeks.
Saul: Perhaps we should just get on with the story, and forget the pretty girls!
1 Maccabees 1
Reader 1: Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and the Medes. He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth.
Reader 2: He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes. Soon afterwards, Alexander fell sick and realized that he was dying. He summoned his most honored officers and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive.
Reader 3: After Alexander’s death, his officers began to rule, each in his own place. They all put on crowns, and brought much evil into the world.
Reader 1: From this group, came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus the king.
Antiochus: Personally, that sounds a little “harsh” to me. Me, A “sinful root”? I don’t think so. I do have everything I’ve ever wanted, though. I rule these people here in Israel, and if they don’t do what I say, I have them killed. They’re simply here for my pleasure. Surely that doesn’t make me a “sinful root”! Does it?
Reader 2: Before long, people became more concerned about pleasing their leaders, than about pleasing God. Because of persecution, it became easier just to try to blend in … and some did.
Saul: Hey, guys! Let’s make a covenant with these Greeks. Ever since they’ve been here, we’ve separated ourselves from them and many evils have come upon us as a result. Things are never gonna be the way they were, anyway. And like I’ve always said, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.
Emet: Sounds great to me, Saul! Count me in!
Reader 3: This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles.
Saul: Hey, guys! I’ve got another idea! Let’s build a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to the Greek custom. We can participate in athletic competitions and events with them, and they’ll treat us just like their friends and relatives.
James: Like their relatives? I’ve seen how you treat your relatives, Saul, and if they treat me like that… I think I’ll pass.
Emet: Sometimes you have to compromise a little, James, to keep everyone happy.
James: Yahweh, Blessed be His name, would not have us to mix with these Gentiles. These Greeks will never accept us.
Saul: You’re wrong, James. They’ll love us. You’ll see. They just don’t like that fact that we act so … different.
James: Different? Just because we cover our heads when we pray? Just because we refuse to worship pagan Gods? Different because HaShem has given us Shabbat and the Festivals? Saul, we are different! We’re the “chosen” people!
Saul: Well, for once, couldn’t He choose someone else?
Reader 1: So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom.
Saul: Hey, guys! I don’t know where I come up with all of these great ideas, but I’ve got another one. Because of the nude athletic games we sort of stand out as being Jews…you know what I mean? Why don’t we have the circumcision removed and nobody would be able to tell the difference between us and the Greeks when we participate in the games. Trust me! I heard it won’t hurt a bit!
James: I think Yahweh’s whole idea for the Jewish people was that we not look and act like everyone else. He wanted us to be a holy people … set apart for Himself…not like everyone else.
Saul: That was then…and this is now. It’s been a long time since God spoke to Moshe on the Mountain. How do we know that He’s not changed His mind about some of the things he said so long ago?
Emet: I might have been born a Jew, but I’ll die a Greek.
James: You just might, Emet. You just might!
Reader 2: So, many removed the marks of circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.
Antiochus: I’m bored! Israel just isn’t enough. Hmmm! Perhaps if I ruled over Egypt, too, then I’d be satisfied.
Reader 3: So Antiochus conquered Egypt and become king of the land of Egypt as well as Israel.
Reader 1: After that Antiochus went up to Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the Temple and took all the golden and silver vessels as his own property.
Antiochus: Man, this is great! I was born to rule! There is nothing I cannot do! There is nothing I cannot have! These fine treasures are too good for these infidel Jews anyway. I’m sure Zeus had all these fine treasures laid up here … just for me to “FIND”. Kill anyone who tries to stop us … or gets in the way … or just “looks” Jewish. These Jews are the scum of the earth. I’ve heard some of them even have horns and a tail!
Antiochus
Tune: "Anatevka" (From Fiddler on the Roof)
Lyrics: Curtis & Carolyn Loftin
Antiochus, Antiochus,
Evil King, Wicked things, Antiochus,
Why do you persecute the Jews?
Antiochus, Antiochus,
Adamant, obstinate, Antiochus,
God is aware of all you do.
Soon you’ll be defeated by the Maccabees,
You will be destroyed for all to see,
Too late, Antiochus.
Repent now, Antiochus,
Choose your fate, not too late, Antiochus,
God is a waiting to see what you’ll do.
Reader 2: Taking all the golden and silver vessels from the Temple, Antiochus departed, committing deeds of murder as he traveled…when it suited him…and that was often.
Reader 3: Israel mourned deeply in every community. Rulers and elders groaned. All the house of Israel was clothed with shame.
James: I thought you said that if we acted like them and dressed like them they’d accept us, and leave us alone.
Saul: Well, they are leaving some of us alone.
James: Yeah! The dead ones!
Reader 1: Two years later Antiochus sent a Tribute Collector to the cities of Israel. He came to Jerusalem with a large force of soldiers. Deceitfully, he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him.
James: What do we do now, Smarty Pants?
Saul: I’m sure all they want to do is talk. “You” stay here and talk with them. I’ll meet you tomorrow at Zion’s Gate.
Reader 2: But suddenly the armed force fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel. The Tribute Collector plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls. On every side of the sanctuary they shed innocent blood; they even defiled the sanctuary.
Reader 1: Antiochus loved power. He would occasionally go through the streets giving out money just to gain favor from the people, and he enjoyed spilling oil on the floor of the bathhouse and watching people fall. His behavior became so erratic that his own people nicknamed him “Epiphanes”, meaning “Madman.”
Antiochus: The problem is, we’re just too many cultures trying to survive. We all should be one people. Every one should give up his own customs and religion, and join us.
Reader 2: Many from Israel gladly adopted his religion and customs; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath.
Antiochus: Things are progressing, but I’m still not satisfied. Some of the Jews are still trying to hold on to their old ways. As a result, I forbid them to offer burnt offerings and sacrifices. The Sabbath is no different than any other day. These Jews are just lazy, not wanting to work. Zeus gave us seven good days … all for work and pleasure. The Jewish feasts are ridiculous. Our Greek festival days are much greater and have much more meaning. There’s nothing like the Winter Solstice Holiday and Ra Day! And by the way, your common greeting should be “Happy Holidays” … so as not to offend anyone.
Attendant: If there is no offering of sacrifices in the Jewish temple, there is no need for the priesthood.
Antiochus: This is true! No more priesthood, either! Their altar in the temple is too small and isn’t appropriate for our sacrifices. I want to build new altars, and erect statues of our Syrian Gods here in Jerusalem.
Reader 3: And so they did.
Reader 2: Antiochus even went so far as to have a statue of Zeus erected on the altar in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Knowing the Jews considered swine unclean, Antiochus sacrificed a pig upon the altar, and then he took the blood and splattered it within the Holy of Holies.
Reader 1: Israel’s sanctuary became desolate; her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into a reproach, her honor into contempt. Her dishonor grew as great as her glory.
Stop Antiochus!
Tune: "Stop in the Name of Love"
Lyrics: Curtis & Carolyn Loftin
Stop! Antiochus!
This time you’ve gone too far!
Antiochus,
I’m aware of what you do,
And God is watching you, too,
Putting idols in the temple,
Offering swine on the alter, how sinful.
But this time you’ve gone to far,
Turn to God & change your heart,
(Think it over) God is watching you!
(Think it over) God sees all you do!
Stop! Antiochus!
This time you’ve gone too far!
Reader 1: There was also living in Israel, a priest by the name of Mattathias, with his five sons. Even though he was almost 80, his neighbors respected him for his wisdom and courage.
Mattathias: I will not bow to foreign gods.
Judah: How can this Syrian come here, claim to be our king, and just take over?
Mattathias: Because we let him, son. But HaShem will not leave us in Antiochus’ hands.
Reader 1: God will bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel.
Antiochus: Why do you Jews feel as if you can only sacrifice bulls, and lambs, and goats. Pigs are a lot cheaper…and besides, if I do that, we can all have a Bar-B-Q afterwards.
Saul: Well, I always heard “waste not, want not”!
James: So, what do you think about all this stuff that Antiochus has been doing lately?
Saul: It’s not so bad. I love Ra Day. I’m not too crazy about the tu-tus we have to wear, but as I always say…when in Rome….
James: Yeah! Yeah! You said that before!
Saul: Antiochus has suggested that we leave our sons uncircumcised. He says that it’s cruel to do such a tragic thing to them when they’re only 8 days old. It would be better if we waited till they were adults. That way they could make their minds up themselves if they wanted to be circumcised or not.
James: Did you say that Antiochus “suggested” not having your sons circumcised? I believe he actually said that whoever doesn’t obey his command would die! That’s not much of a suggestion!
Saul: Be-seder! OK! So…what do you want to hear me say? …That I’m sick and tired of this Greek tyrant? Well, I am! But what can we do!
James: We can pray and trust that HaShem will deliver us!
Reader 1: Antiochus found the books of the law and they were torn to pieces and burned.
Reader 2: They put to death the women who had their children circumcised, as well as their families and those who performed the circumcision. But many in Israel stood firm and resolved in their hearts to obey the commandments of God. They chose to die rather than to be defiled, and many did die.
1 Maccabees 2
Mattathias: What good is it to be a priest when we’re not permitted to offer sacrifices to the Lord, or have our children circumcised, or even eat our Kosher foods. I’m gonna move my family – including my five sons - from Jerusalem and settle in Modi’in. Judah?
Judah: Here, Father.
Mattathias: Have your brothers prepare our livestock to move to Modi’in. Tell Simon, John, Eleazar and Jonathan to start packing our things. We’re leaving Jerusalem.
Judah: Yes, Father. I will.
Mattathias: Judah, that fool Antiochus has presumed that all of Israel will bow before him and conform to his laws. I have seen the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem. We’re one Jewish family who will not compromise. Locate and pack as many weapons as you can find, and may the Eternal, blessed be His name, preserve us!
Judah: I can’t believe I’ve lived to see the ruin of our people, the ruin of the holy city of Jerusalem, and to live there when it was given over to the enemies.
Mattathias: The temple has become like a man without honor.
Judah: Her babes have been killed in the streets, and her youths by the sword of our foe.
Mattathias: We are no longer free, but have become slaves in our own country.
Reader 3: So Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.
Attendant: (Speaking to Mattathias) You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. Be the first to come and do what the king commands, then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.
Mattathias: Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him and depart from the religion of his fathers, I and my sons and brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. We will not desert Yahweh’s law and ordinances.
Reader 2: When he had finished speaking these words, the Jew Emet came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in the way Antiochus had commanded.
Mattathias: What are you doing, Emet? Have you no honor, no faithfulness to your God?
Emet: I’m doing as our king has commanded!
Judah: We have no king but Yahweh!
Reader 1: When Mattathias saw what Emet was doing, he gave way to righteous anger. He ran and killed him upon the altar. At the same time he killed Antiochus’ Attendant who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar.
Mattathias: Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come with me!
Judah: We must leave all that we have and flee to the hills or we’ll be dead by morning. There are many of you who are seeking righteousness and justice. Bring your sons, their wives, and their cattle and join with us.
Reader 1: Then they united with other mighty warriors of Israel, every one who offered himself willingly. They organized an army, and Mattathias and his friends went about and tore down the altars. They circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the borders of Israel.
Mattathias: I am an old man, and the days are drawing near when I am going to die. Sin and pride have become strong in the land; it’s time for furious anger. Now, my children, show zeal for the Torah, and give your lives for the covenant of our fathers.
Judah: Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness?
Mattathias: Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt.
Judah: Phinehas, our father, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood.
Mattathias: Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel.
Judah: Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land.
Mattathias: David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom for ever.
Judah: Elijah, because of great zeal for the Torah, was taken up into heaven.
Mattathias: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego believed and were saved from the flame.
Judah: Daniel, because of his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.
Mattathias: And so observe, from generation to generation, that none who put their trust in HaShem will lack strength. My children, be courageous and grow strong in the Torah, for by it you will gain honor. Judah has been a mighty warrior from his youth. He shall command the army for you.
Reader 1: Then he placed his hands on Judah’s head and blessed him.
Mattathias: Y'-va-re-ch'-cha A-do-nai v'-yish-m'-re-cha; May you be like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! May you ever walk in the ways and counsel of Yahweh.
Reader 3: Mattathias died and was buried in the tomb of his fathers at Modi’in.
1 Maccabees 3
Reader 1: Then Judah, who was called Maccabee, took command at Mattathias’ death. All his brothers and those who had joined his father helped him; they gladly fought for Israel.
Reader 1: Judah went through the cities and destroyed the ungodly out of the land of Israel;
Reader 3: A large force of Gentiles from Samaria gathered to fight against Israel. When Judah learned of it, he went out to meet them. Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled.
Judah: It is not the size of the army that determines the victory. Our strength comes from Heaven. Yahweh himself will crush them before us, nu? As for you, do not be afraid of them.
Saul: Judah’s strength is awesome! He’s like a hammer, destroying the enemies of God. That’s what his name should be, Judah Maccabee…Judah the Hammer.
Judah Was A Hammer
Tune: "If I Had a Hammer"
Lyrics: Curtis & Carolyn Loftin
Oh, Judah was a hammer
He’d hammer in the morning
He’d hammer in the evening ... all over the land,
He'd battle Idolatry,
The Syrians & Conformity,
He’d unite a people to fight for the Lord,
Oh, All over the land.
Oh, Judah was a hammer
He’d hammer in the morning
He’d hammer in the evening ... all over the land,
Destroying an evil King,
Making the temple clean,
He’d unite a people to fight for the Lord,
Oh, All over the land.
Reader 1: Then Judah and his brothers began to be feared, and terror fell upon the Gentiles around them. When King Antiochus heard these reports, he was angered. He gathered all the forces of his kingdom into a very strong army. He opened his treasury and gave a year's pay to his any of his forces who were willing to come against Judah and his followers.
1 Maccabees 4
Judah: Don’t fear their numbers or be afraid of them. Remember how our fathers were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them. Instead, let us cry to Heaven. Yahweh will favor us and remember his covenant with our fathers and crush this army before us today, just as he destroyed Pharaoh’s army. Then all the Gentiles will know that there is One who redeems and saves Israel.
Saul: Can’t we all just go home?
James: No, Saul! Come on! Let’s blow our shofars calling all Israel to battle against these ungodly Gentiles.
Saul: OK! OK!
Reader 3: They engaged the Syrians in battle and the Gentiles were crushed and fled into the plain, and all those in the rear fell by the sword.
Reader 2: King Antiochus sent sixty thousand infantrymen and five thousand cavalry to attack the Maccabees. When Judah saw that the army was strong, he prayed.
Judah: Baruch Atah, Yeshua Teinu! Blessed art thou, O Savior of Israel, who crushed the attack of the giant, Goliath, by the hand of your servant David, and gave the Philistines into the hands of Jonathan, the son of Saul. Do it again, O Lord! Destroy this alien army by the hand of your people, Israel. Fill these Greeks with cowardice. Strike them down with the sword of those who love You, and let all who know Your name, praise You with singing and dancing.
Reader 2: When the Syrians saw the boldness which inspired Judah and his followers, and how ready they were either to live or to die, they fled.
Judah: Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it. Assemble all the army and let’s go up to Mount Zion to do another type of work for the Lord.
Reader 3: They saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned.
Reader 1: Judah chose blameless priests devoted to the law, who cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones. They tore down the altar which had been profaned by the Gentiles and built a new one. They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple, and consecrated the courts. They made new holy vessels. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the lampstand. They placed the bread on the table and hung up the curtains. They finished all the work they had undertaken.
Reader 2: Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, they rose and offered sacrifice, on the new altar.
Talmud
Saul: Oil is needed for the giant menorah in the temple. It is supposed to burn day and night without ever going out. We have very little oil that has not been defiled by the Greeks.
James: I will go and get kosher oil for the Menorah.
Saul: But there is only enough in the oil bowl of the Menorah to last for one day, and it will take eight days to prepare the kosher oil. The flame will go out.
Judah: We’ll have to trust that God will provide what we need. He didn’t bring us this far to desert us now.
Reader 3: Miraculously, it burned for 8 days without going out, until more oil was obtained. Why is it important that the oil lasted eight days? The oil used in the menorah was the purest olive oil. The rabbis say the oil was so pure, only the first drop of oil from each olive could be used. Because of the need for strict purity of the oil, it took seven days to make a single batch of oil. The small jar of oil that had not been disturbed should have lasted for a day, but instead lasted for the entire week that it took to make the new oil.
Judah: Let’s set aside Chislev 25 as a day to remember HaShem’s goodness and deliverance from the Syrians and restoration of the temple. Just remember, we Jews do not glorify war. Our holiday should remind us how God provided the oil that was needed to keep the Menorah burning for eight days while more oil was being acquired.
Saul: I told everyone all along, “Don’t fall for the tricks of those Greeks!!” But no one ever listens to me!!
James: Yeah, Saul! (Sarcastically) I remember how firmly you stood against them!
Judah: He is a God of miracles. Men cannot work miracles; only the hand of HaShem can do this!
Reader 1: At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, the temple was dedicated with songs and dancing. All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed the Lord.
Reader 2: So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness; they offered a sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
Reader 3: There was great gladness among the people that the sinfulness of the Gentiles had been removed.
Reader 2: Then Judah and all the assembly of Israel decided that every year, at that season, they would celebrate for eight days the Feast of Dedication of the altar. They should be observed with gladness and joy, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev.
Reader 1: To commemorate the holiday, Jews burn a nine branched candelabrum called a Hanukkiah. There is one candle for each night, plus a Shamash, or servant candle. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The Shamash candle is lit and used to light the first candle of Hanukkah, then placed in its holder. Each night, another candle is added from right to left - like the Hebrew language. Candles are lit from left to right, paying honor to the newest one first.
Reader 2: Because of the law prohibiting the lighting of fire on Shabbat, Hanukkah candles are usually lit before the Shabbat candles on Friday night, and after Havdalah on Saturday night.
Reader 1: The Hanukkah candles are for pleasure only. We are not allowed to use them for any productive purpose. We use the extra one, the Shamash, to light the others.
Reader 2: It is traditional to eat fried foods on this holiday because of the significance of the oil to the holiday. This includes latkes and doughnuts.
Reader 3: Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. A dreidel is marked with the Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimmel, Heh, and Shin. The letters stand for the Hebrew phrase “A great miracle happened there.”
Reader 1: Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai, E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha'olam, She'hecheyanu, vekiyemanu vehigi'anu laz'man hazeh. Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Reader 1: Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha’olam She-a-sa Ni-sim La-avo-tei-nu Ba-ya-mim Ha-heim Biz’man Ha-zeh. Blessed are You, O L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old at this season.
Hanukkah O Hanukkah
Traditional TuneO Hanukkah, O Hanukkah,
Come light the Menorah,
Let’s have a party,
We’ll all dance the hora,
Gather round the table,
We’ll give you a treat,
Lots of spinning dreidels,
And latkes to eat.
And while we are singing,
The candles are burning bright,
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light,
To remind us of days long ago.
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light,
To remind us of days long ago.
O Hanukkah, O Hanukkah,
A very special story,
A man named Judah Macabee,
Gave us back our glory,
He marched to old Jerusalem,
The temple was in flames,
Eight days the battle lasted,
Our freedom was regained.
Now while we are playing…
The candles are burning low,
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light,
To remind us of days long ago.
One for each night,
They shed a sweet light,
To remind us of days long ago.
2005 Hanukkah Play Cast
(L to R) Curtis Loftin (kneeling), Joe Melnyk, Ben Melnyk, Danny Fox,
Cameron Long, Tayler Long, Andy Melnyk, Kirk Herbertson
